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New Waiting Area Debuts At DIA With Family Friendly Features

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DENVER (CBS4) – The new minute waiting area at Denver International Airport is setting the bar high for all other airports.

Final Approach (credit: CBS)

Located off Pena Boulevard just a hop, skip and a jump from the main terminal, Final Approach includes restaurants, free wi-fi inside and out, full service bathrooms, and it has an updated flight board. The area includes 250 parking spots and there’s no time limit on how long you can park there, although overnight parking is not allowed.

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock was on hand for the grand opening along with airport leaders and employees who will be working in Final Approach. The mayor applauded the work done to complete the $7 million project in only eight months.

“There are a lot of exciting things that are going on here at the airport and Final Approach is really the heart of what we’re trying to do here — to become a more friendly airport for people who are traveling or waiting for loved ones,” Hancock said.

Several excited customers also lined up for food at Dunkin’ Donuts and the other restaurants, which include Z Pizza, Baja Fresh and Subway.

“I’m from New York so the fact that we haven’t had (Dunkin’ Donuts) yet in Colorado is great,” said Meagan Dizon. “We’re really excited to have one here this morning.”

DIA spokesman Heath Montgomery said the airport worked hard to make sure the facility was family friendly. One aspect of that was installing iPads for kids to play on at some of the tables in Final Approach.

“Anyone who has ever been out to the airport to pick up a friend or a loved one has been to that old waiting area — there’s nothing out there, there were portable restrooms,” Montgomery said. “Look at this amazing facility back here.”

Montgomery said this is the first time they have installed flight boards outside of the terminal and the concourses at DIA.